Maona presents: Mapantsula15

Directed by Oliver Schmitz | South Africa | 1988 | 1h 43m | Zulu w/ English subtitles | Starring Thomas Mogotlane, Thembi Mtshali, Peter Sephuma, Marcel Van Heerden, Eugene Majola

A small-time hustler navigating the streets of Soweto finds himself entangled in anti-apartheid protests. When singled out by the local police, he faces a pivotal decision: prioritise personal gain or join the movement against racism. A quintessential example of guerrilla filmmaking, Oliver Schmitz’s 1988 cult-classic crime drama has finally emerged in stunning 4K resolution after years of suppression. Screenings marking the 30th anniversary of South African Freedom.

These screenings will be introduced by Dr Robert Freeman. Robert is a lecturer in English, and affiliate of New College, Oxford. He writes on African film, literary value, and the history of cultural institutions.

Reviews

‘The film starts as a racy gangster melodrama with an unusually pungent low-life city background, then builds inexorably to a moral reckoning, a ferocious, unforgettable denouement.’
Michael Wilmington, The LA Times

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Maona presents: Mapantsula between May 21, 2024 and May 22, 2024.

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What else is on?

Today (Thursday 9th October)

20:45

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Tomorrow (Friday 10th October)

15:45

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2h | German & Spanish with English subtitles
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18:30

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues 15
1h 24m
The world’s loudest band reunites after 15 years for one last concert. Will it be a triumphant comeback, or another Stonehenge-sized disaster? The original cast returns, joined by music legends Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Questlove, and more.

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20:30

Deaf 12A
1h 40m | Spanish with English subtitles
A deaf woman in rural Spain prepares for motherhood while confronting fears of isolation and belonging. Eva Libertad’s tender debut, winner of Berlin’s Panorama Audience Award, is a deeply moving story of identity and love.

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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road. We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We don’t show adverts, just a couple of trailers, so don't be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!